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A Story to Tell

Johann Härtling, of the Saxony, Germany area of Pöppeln, was the father of Andreas, Andreas the father of Hermann, who immigrated to the United States of America, Hermann the father of Adolph Martin, Martin the father of Benjamin, Ben the father of Vernon, Vernon the father of three sons and three daughters.

I am one of those three daughters.

More than 235 years since Johann, that bloodline still lives on today in both my children and grandchildren.

The Hermann Haertling Family, circa 1894

Genealogical rolls trace a lineage, preserving the past for future generations. Each name represents a face, a life lived. Each one a link connecting from earlier days to what is still to come. Each with a story to tell.

This is the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah the son of David, the son of Abraham.

It is with a genealogy that Matthew begins the first book of the New Testament of the same name (Matthew 1). Matthew unfolds the story of the Christ child’s coming by looking back to the Old Testament — from Abraham to Jesus. Albeit, not something you usually expect in your traditional Christmas card generally filled with angel announcements, accounts of shepherds, and images of a newborn baby asleep in a manger.

Woven within the letters of each name listed is the unfolding story of God’s faithfulness flowing from generation to generation as He fulfills the promise first made to Adam and Eve in the garden (Genesis 3).

In linking Jesus to Abraham, Matthew brings us straight away back to the promise of God’s rescue plan for the world. Jesus is the long-awaited son of Abraham who will bring God’s blessing to all humanity.

… and all people on earth will be blessed through you. Genesis 12:3

The promised son of David. Matthew confirms Jesus’ human origin, the royal successor and legitimate heir to the throne of David’s kingdom (Matthew 22:42-46). The King for whom all of Israel was waiting.

A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit. Isaiah 11:1

Then in a rare move, Matthew breaks with tradition by listing four women. The background stories of these four make their inclusion even more extraordinary: Gentiles, widows, tarnished pasts. Matthew shines light on God’s amazing grace.

For generations God has been using all types of people to move His plan forward. Real people. Imperfect men and women who have lived flawed lives, making poor choices, living life away from God.

Three sets of names. Three key periods in history. As one biblical scholar writes, “One gets the impression that Matthew pored over his Old Testament records until he could find the most questionable ancestors of Jesus available in order, in turn, to insert them into his record and so, it seems to preach the gospel — that is, that God can overcome and forgive sin, and can use soiled but repentant persons for his great purpose in history.”1

I Never Asked Blog

What about your story? Where Scripture’s first genealogy recorded in Genesis 5 underscores death — “and then he died” — the genealogy of Jesus does not end. Matthew emphasizes that Jesus came to save “his people from their sins.”

No matter your background, your pedigree, your last name, you can be part of Christ’s inheritance both now and throughout eternity. By faith in Jesus, you can be counted as one of God’s children.

Ah, dearest Jesus, Holy Child,
Make Thee a bed, soft, undefiled,
Within my heart, that it may be
A quiet chamber kept for Thee.2

Photo: Far left, my grandfather, Ben Haertling, is seated on the lap of his father, Martin Haertling.

1 Fredrick Dale Bruner, The Christbook: A Historical/Theological Commentary, 1987
2 Martin Luther, From Heaven Above to Earth I Come, 1535

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Thank You for Loving Me!

Never could I have imagined hearing such tender words wrapped in such irrepressible joy. Maybe an “I love you, too, Nana.” But not this.

My three-year-old granddaughter had just stepped out of the tub from her evening bath. Her back to me, I softly toweled off her wet hair; and I whispered gently into her ear, “I love you, Zoey Gail.”

And that is when it happened!

In one swift motion, Zoey spun around to face me; her rich, brown eyes beaming. With unbridled joy sweeping across her face, she threw her arms around my neck, capturing me in her embrace.

Her response stopped me short: “Oh, Nana. Thank you for loving me!”

Later as I relived that moment in my mind, my heart still taken aback at Zoey’s reaction, I wondered how often have I expressed such pure, unrestrained gratitude to my Lord and Savior? Have I ever?

But in Christ, God gives us much, much more … Joy unspeakable.

Joy in the Giver

The once childless Hannah did.

See the unbridled joy written on Hannah’s face; expressed through her song as she brings the child Samuel to the house of God. Experience her delight recorded in the Old Testament book of 1 Samuel:

My heart rejoices in the Lord; in the Lord my horn is lifted high … 1 Samuel 2:1

Hannah tells Eli, the priest, “I prayed for this child, and the LORD has granted me what I asked of him” (v. 27). She doesn’t commend Samuel for his behavior, or his intelligence, or even the good sense he showed at such a young age; something most parents are prone to do.

Hannah sang praise to the Giver.

There is no one holy like the Lord; there is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God. 1 Samuel 2:2

Joy in Community

What about Naomi, the one who “went away full,” but the “LORD brought back empty” (Ruth 1:20)?

Because of a famine in her native land, Naomi left Israel to go with her husband and two sons to Moab. The intent was to stay just “for a while.” But there in that foreign country, a godless place of worship, Naomi experiences the loss of her husband. Her sons, who had married women of Moab, also die. Abandoned — a widow and in poverty — Naomi retraces her steps back home to Bethlehem with one of her daughters-in-law, Ruth.

Cutting My Teeth on Christmas Blog

At a time when hope appears lost, God’s mighty hand was working and Boaz, a kinsman-redeemer, was provided. Oh, that moment when Boaz and Ruth’s first-born child, Obed, was carried to Grandma Naomi. Picture the unbridled joy as a long, desolate winter passes and a time of birds singing emerges: “Then Naomi took the child in her arms and cared for him” (Ruth 4:16).

That joy was also celebrated among those in Naomi’s community as, “The women living there said, ‘Praise be to the LORD, who this day has not left you … Naomi has a son!’” (Ruth 4:14-17).

At one time thought perished, Naomi’s family was restored to Israel’s genealogy. That infant Obed lived to become the father of Jesse, who became the father of King David, the ancestor of Jesus (Matthew 1:5).

Joy in Hope Restored

Mary was there that first Easter morning. But there was no joy, unbridled or that of any other kind.

Exhausted, the past hours swelled with agony and heartbreak. How could this be?

She had heard Jesus’ bitter cries. She had stood near the cross, her presence all that she could offer Him in His deep suffering. She watched through those excruciatingly dreadful hours until finally the Roman soldier speared the Savior’s side.

“Dead,” came the declaration.

But there she was — outside the empty garden tomb — early on that Sunday morning. She knew the right place, for she had also been there watching when they laid the Lord’s lifeless body to rest (Matthew 27:61).

Now to find the Lord’s grave empty! Her grief knew no bounds. And she wept (John 20:11-18).

“Mary.”

As the morning light breaks through the darkness of night, so, too, that one word broke through the gloom of indescribable sorrow. One word uttered from the Voice she recognized.

Who Am I to You? Blog

Unbridled joy gripped Mary’s heart as she realized her Savior actually stood in front of her. In reverent love she cries, “Rabboni!” (John 20:15-17). My God and my Master!

He is risen from the dead! Jesus is alive again!

Do gratitude and joy come only out of a satisfied desire, a recovered loss, or hope restored? Oh most certainly, getting to the other side of deep hardship is like a green light straight to amazing joy. But in Christ, God gives us much, much more. True blessing, deep happiness right where we are — in the life He has given us. Jesus came that we might “have life and have it to the full.” Joy unspeakable.

Sometimes it takes a 3-year-old child to show the way.

Though you have not seen him, you love him;
and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him
and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy,
for you are receiving the end result of your faith,
the salvation of your souls.
1 Peter 1:8-9

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Those Left Behind

“You leaving feels like a funeral to me,” my good friend said as she stared straight into my eyes. Tears trickled down her cheeks. “You see, Bon, you are going on to something new, something exciting. I am truly thrilled for you. But I am already feeling so lonely by the hole you are leaving in my daily life by not being here physically.”

Now, more than twenty-seven years later, I clearly remember my friend’s tender emotion as my family and I prepared to relocate for the first time.

She was right. My husband, kids and I were heading out on to a whole new adventure. We were caught up in the activity, and the frenzy — an advanced position with fresh opportunities, a new house, new places to discover and explore. In our eagerness, we forgot those left behind.

“My son’s best friend is leaving; my daughter’s, too.” It was not a guilt trip on my friend’s part. But a simply stated fact. A fact reflecting the reality of how one’s life impacts another.

In the New Testament book of John, Jesus comforts His friends as He prepares to leave. For three years this rag-tag band of twelve men had traveled the dusty roads of Judea and Galilee with Him. They experienced things they could never have imagined had they tried. Water turned into wine. Rescues from life-threatening storms. Miraculous healings. People raised from the dead. They ate with Him. And He taught them — including how to pray.

They had given up everything to follow Him. (Matthew 19:27)

Now their Friend was telling them He was going away.

In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. John 14:2

Overwhelming thoughts. Powerful emotions. Jesus knew that the friends He was leaving behind felt confused and fearful; already experiencing the loneliness caused by the hole He was leaving in their daily lives.

Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. John 14:1

But Jesus did not leave His disciples there in their pain. He would not leave them as orphans. He promised His friends another. A Counselor, who would be with them forever: The Spirit of truth. (John 14:15-18)

And in all the best yet to come, Jesus promised, “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” John 14:3

Jesus’ promises reach through to this very day, to each of us who believes Jesus is the way and the truth and the life. (John 14:6) Never will He leave us; never will He forsake us. (Hebrews 13:5)

Truth be told, I am thankful for what my friend felt — it said something about the influence that both I and my children had on her and her family. We had truly been present living in the here and now. It was a lesson with which I encouraged my kids in subsequent moves as they grieved having to move again, leaving behind friends and activities and schools … and dreams for what life would be like if they could stay.

Caring for others. Making time to develop friendships. Giving a piece of our heart. Yes, even though the time may come when we will have to leave it all. Making a difference now — in the present — in the lives of those left behind.

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.
I do not give as the world gives.
Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
You heard me say, ‘I am going away
and I am coming back to you.’
John 14:27-28